When installing a 230–240V AC shore power system in your caravan, campervan, RV, motorhome, or boat, compliance with Australian Electrical Wiring Standards is essential. One key requirement is the inclusion of a Residual Current Device (RCD). That's exactly why we've decided to bring you this more convenient caravan power inlet with a built-in RCBO — and it's incredibly easy to install, too. You simply plug its pre-wired loom connection into the matching connector on our Plug and Play Connection Leads.
An RCBO (Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent protection) is a type of RCD with a Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB). Therefore, the inlet protects you against electric shock from leakage currents, as well as the risks of overloads and short circuits.
This power inlet is also part of our growing range of Plug and Play AC Electricals. Thanks to its softwiring design, you can install it quickly and easily without any special tools. You'll only need to engage a licensed electrician for the final connection, inspection, and testing to obtain your compliance certificate.
CVB 15A 240V Plug & Play External Power Inlet with RCBO: Key Specifications
| Type of Accessory | Shore power inlet socket with RCBO |
|---|---|
| Material | Heavy-Duty Plastic |
| Finishing | White or Black |
| Inlet Configuration | Type I |
| Inlet Size | 15A |
| Voltage Rating | 230/240VAC |
| RCBO Rating | 16A |
| Environmental Protection | IP44 + flap cover |
| Wiring Style | Plug-and-play softwiring |
What Do You Get with This All-in-One Caravan Power Inlet?
When you unbox it for the first time, the new CVB External Power Inlet features an all-in-one design that combines everything you need in a single unit. This includes a shore power inlet socket, built-in RCBO, pre-wired plug-and-play loom connection, and an earth lead.
The inlet also features predrilled mounting holes for easy installation, along with a backing gasket to improve waterproofing and help dampen vibration.
Keep in mind, the colour of the gasket matches the unit you order, which can be either white or black:
It's also worth noting that this power inlet requires a separate Plug and Play loom connection cable to complete the installation. The cable is sold separately and is available in lengths from 150mm to 5m to suit your specific needs.
How Tough Is This Shore Power Inlet Socket?
Our shore power inlet is constructed from heavy-duty plastic that is highly resistant to impact. This allows you to mount it on the exterior of your camper without worrying about rapid degradation from sunlight or shattering from vibration and flying rocks.
Secondly, the shore power socket features a protective flap cover that keeps dust, dirt, and water out when not in use. It also has IP44 ingress protection to shield the connection points against water splashes and rain from any direction.
The shroud around the male inlet connectors ensures you can safely use shore power for your caravan, campervan, RV, or motorhome, even in rainy conditions, without risk of damage. Its RCBO unit also has a clear cover offering IP56 ingress protection, guarding against dust, moisture, rain, and powerful water jets.
Will It Work at Caravan Parks Across Australia?
One of the most important factors when choosing a shore power system for your van or RV is compatibility with campsites and caravan parks across Australia. Our CVB External Power Inlet is specifically designed for the Australian market and fully complies with national electrical regulations.
For instance, the socket uses the standard Australian Type I configuration, featuring two flat pins in an inverted “V” shape and one vertical earth pin. It is a 15-amp version with the larger, wider earth pin and is compatible with both 230V and 240V AC power supplies.
Once installed, this shore power inlet can be used at virtually any campsite or caravan park in Australia. All you need is a matching 240V 15A shore power extension lead (sold separately).
How Do You Install a Plug-and-Play Caravan Power Inlet?
This power inlet is relatively easy to install. The most challenging part is mounting the unit, which requires cutting a hole in your camper's exterior. For this, you will need a hole saw, a drill, and appropriate bits for the mounting screws.
The wiring itself is designed as a simple plug-and-play system, allowing for tool-free modular connections. You simply connect the pre-wired plug-and-play loom from the inlet to the Plug-and-Play Connection Lead Cable that you bought. Then, plug the other end into your GPO socket or extension outlet.
If you want to create multiple power points, this plug-and-play GPO socket includes an output loom connection, allowing you to link additional sockets easily. You can also use a 2-to-1 Splitter Adapter or a 3-to-1 Splitter Adapter to branch out your power points.
Once the wiring is complete, the shore power inlet includes a pre-wired earth wire that must be connected to the vehicle chassis. This is a critical safety feature that provides a proper path to ground, allowing the RCD to function correctly in the event of an electrical fault.
Finally, after mounting and wiring the CVB External Power Inlet, you must have the entire installation inspected and tested by a licensed electrician. The electrician will ensure your system complies with the relevant Australian and New Zealand standards (AS/NZS 3000, AS/NZS 3001, and AS/NZS 3112) and issue a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW).
How Much Power Can a 15 Amp Caravan Inlet Deliver?
After installation, this power inlet is as simple to use as any standard outlet. You just connect the 15A plug of your shore power extension lead to the campsite power point. Then, plug the female connector on the other end of the lead into your newly installed power inlet.
With the correct caravan power lead, the inlet will deliver smooth and reliable power to your camper. It supports up to 240VAC @ 15A, providing a maximum load capacity of 3600W.
However, exceeding this load capacity will cause the built-in RCBO to trip. For trouble-free operation and to avoid nuisance trips, you'll have to keep the total load on your shore power sockets at 3500W or below.
How Does the Built-In RCBO Keep You Safe?
As mentioned earlier, this inlet comes with a built-in RCBO — a Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent protection. An RCBO combines a Residual Current Device (RCD) and a Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) in one unit. This ensures you are fully protected against electrical leakage (earth faults), overloads, and short circuits.
While many users tend to overlook these safety features, the risks associated with them are serious. They can lead to electrocution, damage your appliances, or even cause a fire.
The integrated RCBO is rated at 16 amps, so it will trip after a sustained period if the load exceeds 3600W (15A). However, if the current exceeds 16 amps, the safety switch will trip almost instantly.
As a true RCD, the RCBO also includes a test button (labelled “T”) that allows you to regularly verify that the safety mechanism is working correctly. The safety switch is easily accessible by lifting the dedicated clear cover. This cover not only protects the unit from dust and moisture but also lets you quickly see if the switch has tripped.
Is the CVB 15A 240V Plug & Play External Power Inlet with RCBO Worth It?
Compared to our basic shore power sockets, this new power inlet is slightly more expensive. It costs $180, while the basic version is only $42.
Nevertheless, the higher price is well worth it, given the additional features included in the unit — a built-in RCBO, pre-wired loom connection, integrated earth lead, and an IP44-rated design.
Of course, the basic shore power inlets also come with a weatherproof flap cover. However, their connection point lacks the protective shroud found on the new model. As a result, when the caravan power lead is plugged in, the connection is not well protected from splashing water, the way it is with this new inlet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an RCBO, and why does my caravan need one?
An RCBO (Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent protection) is a type of RCD combined with a Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB). It protects you against electric shock from leakage currents, as well as overloads and short circuits — and an RCD is a key requirement of Australian Electrical Wiring Standards for 230–240V AC shore power systems.
Can I install this caravan power inlet myself?
You can mount the unit and complete the tool-free plug-and-play wiring yourself. However, the installation must be inspected and tested by a licensed electrician to comply with AS/NZS 3000, AS/NZS 3001, and AS/NZS 3112, who will issue a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW).
Can I plug the 15A inlet into a standard 10A household socket?
Not directly. Modifying the lead's input plug to fit a standard 10-amp household socket can damage the lead, the 10A outlet, the inlet, or connected appliances. The only safe and legal way is a dedicated shore power adapter, such as the Ampfibian Max or Ampfibian RV-Plus.
How much load can this power inlet handle?
It supports up to 240VAC @ 15A for a maximum load capacity of 3600W. To avoid nuisance trips from the 16A RCBO, keep the total load on your shore power sockets at 3500W or below.
Get Safe, Compliant Shore Power for Your Caravan
If you're looking to add a shore power socket to your caravan, campervan, RV, or boat, those are the key features you should know about our new CVB 15A 240V Plug & Play External Power Inlet with RCBO. For any other features you'd like to know about, feel free to contact us via our contact form, email, or phone. Browse the full range of Plug and Play AC Electricals to complete your 240V setup today.
